Quick Overview
- The type of disposition is the primary factor determining whether expungement is available: For more information, visit the Cornell Law.
- Background check companies report dispositions differently.
- Dismissed (Nolle Prosequi / Nol Pros): The prosecution voluntarily drops the charges.
100% Results-Based PricingYou pay only once the court record link is gone from Google search results. No retainer, no upfront fee.
Types of Criminal Case Dispositions
Non-Conviction Dispositions
- Dismissed (Nolle Prosequi / Nol Pros): The prosecution voluntarily drops the charges. This is the most favorable outcome short of acquittal. The defendant is not convicted. Eligible for expungement in most states.
- Acquitted / Not Guilty: After trial, the judge or jury finds the defendant not guilty. No conviction results. Eligible for expungement in most states.
- Deferred Prosecution / Diversion: The case is suspended while the defendant completes a program (community service, drug treatment, classes). Upon successful completion, charges are typically dismissed. Eligible for expungement after dismissal.
- No True Bill (Grand Jury): The grand jury declines to indict. No charges proceed.
- Stricken from the docket: Removed from active cases, often for administrative reasons. May be reactivated.
Conviction Dispositions
- Guilty / Convicted: Found guilty after trial. Creates a criminal conviction that appears on background checks.
- Guilty Plea: Defendant pleads guilty, often as part of a plea bargain. Creates a conviction.
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere): Defendant does not contest the charges without admitting guilt. Treated as a conviction for most purposes.
- Alford Plea: Defendant pleads guilty while maintaining innocence. Treated as a conviction.
How Disposition Affects Expungement Eligibility
The type of disposition is the primary factor determining whether expungement is available: For more information, visit the Cornell Law.
- Non-conviction dispositions: Generally eligible for expungement immediately in most states. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and successful diversion completions are the strongest candidates.
- Conviction dispositions: Eligible for expungement in some states for certain offense types and after waiting periods. Many states allow expungement of misdemeanors and some felonies. Violent offenses, sex crimes, and certain other categories are typically excluded.
How Disposition Affects Background Checks
Background check companies report dispositions differently. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumer reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures. Many background checks: For more information, visit the BJS.
- Report non-conviction dispositions if they are in the public record (some states prohibit this)
- Report conviction dispositions going back 7 years for most employment purposes (longer for jobs paying over $75,000)
- Are required to exclude expunged records in states where expungement prevents disclosure
"Transparent, specific, and honest from day one. They told me which records were removable and which weren't before I paid anything."
Free consultation
Is your court disposition still showing online? Find out - free.
Tell us about your situation and a removal specialist will personally review it and respond within one business day. No pressure, no obligation.
- No upfront payment - you only pay if we succeed
- A+ BBB Rated · 5,000+ Cases Handled · Since 2013
- 100% Confidential · Response within 1 business day
As seen in
Frequently Asked Questions
A court disposition is the final resolution of a court case - the official outcome of criminal or civil proceedings. In criminal cases, dispositions include: dismissed, acquitted, convicted, guilty plea, no contest, and deferred/diverted. The disposition determines whether a conviction exists, what appears on background checks, and whether expungement is available. 'Disposed' as a case status simply means the case has reached a final disposition.
Favorable dispositions in criminal court are those that do not result in a conviction: dismissal, acquittal, deferred prosecution with ultimate dismissal, and no true bill from a grand jury. These non-conviction dispositions are generally eligible for expungement in most states. They do not create a criminal conviction, though the arrest and charge may still appear in public records until expunged.
'Case disposed' means the case has been concluded with a final outcome. The case is no longer active or pending. The specific disposition (dismissed, not guilty, convicted, etc.) tells you the outcome. A case can be disposed favorably (dismissed, acquitted) or unfavorably (convicted). The word 'disposed' alone does not tell you whether there was a conviction - you must look at the specific disposition type.
Often yes. Non-conviction dispositions (dismissed charges, acquittals) can appear in public court records and may be reported by background check companies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act does not prohibit reporting non-convictions from court records. However, some states have laws limiting how non-conviction records can be used in employment decisions. Expungement can remove non-conviction records from public court systems in most states.
In many states, yes - a guilty plea disposition (conviction) can be expunged after a waiting period, depending on the offense. The eligibility rules vary significantly by state. Some states allow expungement of most misdemeanor and some felony convictions. Others limit expungement to specific offense categories or first-time offenders. The key factors are the offense type, the waiting period, and any subsequent convictions. An expungement attorney in your state can review your specific conviction.
Keep reading
Related guides
Expungement guideExpungement vs. Sealing - What's the Difference?Read the guide →ExplainerOfficial Court Records vs. Third-Party Sites: Critical…Read the guide →ExplainerWhat Are Courts of Record? Types, Differences & How Records…Read the guide →Situation guideCourt Records on Background Checks: Where They Come From and…Read the guide →Situation guideCan Court Records Be Removed from the Internet in 2026?Read the guide →Pillar guideHow to Remove a Court Case from Public RecordRead the guide →